02 March 2013

Tom Flanagan had no reason to apologize

The current furor over remarks made by University of Calgary professor Tom Flanagan reminds us again how very important academic freedom is to the life of our nation. Unfortunately, it also reminds us how shallow the commitment to it is, of even our universities.
Flanagan, in response to a question during a presentation at the University of Lethbridge Wednesday evening, restated his doubt that those who view child pornography should go to prison. For this, he was dismissed as a commentator on the CBC program Power and Politics, he was dumped by Alberta’s Wildrose party, and the president of the University of Calgary, speaking in her role as president, asserted that “Child pornography is not a victimless crime,” (not something Flanagan denied, by the way).
Strangely, Flanagan later apologized “to all who were offended by my statement.” “Strangely,” because he had nothing to apologize for. He was doing what a professor should — raising and commenting on a matter of public concern — and for that he deserves to be commended.
- See more at: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Flanagan+reason+apologize/8035348/story.html#sthash.108GNqGv.dpuf

The current furor over remarks made by University of Calgary professor Tom Flanagan reminds us again how very important academic freedom is to the life of our nation. Unfortunately, it also reminds us how shallow the commitment to it is, of even our universities.
Flanagan, in response to a question during a presentation at the University of Lethbridge Wednesday evening, restated his doubt that those who view child pornography should go to prison. For this, he was dismissed as a commentator on the CBC program Power and Politics, he was dumped by Alberta’s Wildrose party, and the president of the University of Calgary, speaking in her role as president, asserted that “Child pornography is not a victimless crime,” (not something Flanagan denied, by the way).
Strangely, Flanagan later apologized “to all who were offended by my statement.” “Strangely,” because he had nothing to apologize for. He was doing what a professor should — raising and commenting on a matter of public concern — and for that he deserves to be commended.
- See more at: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Flanagan+reason+apologize/8035348/story.html#sthash.108GNqGv.dpuf

The current furor over remarks made by University of Calgary professor Tom Flanagan reminds us again how very important academic freedom is to the life of our nation. Unfortunately, it also reminds us how shallow the commitment to it is, of even our universities.
Flanagan, in response to a question during a presentation at the University of Lethbridge Wednesday evening, restated his doubt that those who view child pornography should go to prison. For this, he was dismissed as a commentator on the CBC program Power and Politics, he was dumped by Alberta’s Wildrose party, and the president of the University of Calgary, speaking in her role as president, asserted that “Child pornography is not a victimless crime,” (not something Flanagan denied, by the way).
Strangely, Flanagan later apologized “to all who were offended by my statement.” “Strangely,” because he had nothing to apologize for. He was doing what a professor should — raising and commenting on a matter of public concern — and for that he deserves to be commended.
- See more at: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Flanagan+reason+apologize/8035348/story.html#sthash.108GNqGv.dpuf